Direction of H Field Lines: North to South or South to North?

AI Thread Summary
H-field lines originate from the north pole and terminate at the south pole of a magnet. There is a distinction between H-field and B-field lines, particularly inside a magnet, where they point in opposite directions. Outside a magnet, H-field lines align with B-field lines. The relationship between B, H, and magnetization (M) indicates that while B-field lines are continuous, H-field lines can vary in density based on the magnet's properties. Overall, the discussion clarifies the behavior and directionality of magnetic field lines in relation to magnet poles.
lavster
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does the H field lines go from north to south, or south to north?

thanks
 
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The H field lines go from the N of a magnet to the S.
 
thanks! that's what i would have guessed. :) so what does this statement on wikipedia mean? is it wrong?

"Outside a magnet H-field lines are identical to B-field lines, but inside they point in opposite directions. Whether inside or out of a magnet, H-field lines start near the S pole and end near the N."

cheers
 
They probably don't mean the direction of the field.
 
B = H + M, right? Lines of B can never begin or end, and M is uniform inside the magnet and 0 outside. What does that tell us about H?
 
ah right kl :) so the field lines are the same out side as the B field but inside the field lines would be further apart as M is in the opposite direction.
cheers
 

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